Why Women Need to Stick Together
By Janice on January 3rd, 2010
When you were in high school, chances are you spent a lot of time with your friends. You probably talked on the phone with them regularly, discussing everything from that killer biology exam to your latest crush. Maybe you went shopping together on the weekends, or went to the pool once a week in the summer.
Now that high school is behind you, do you still spend time with your female friends? If you do, that’s wonderful. But many of us stay so busy with our families and careers that maintaining friendships gets pushed to the side. Maybe we’ve grown apart from our old friends, or maybe we’ve moved far away and not made any new ones.
While our families can success at work are fulfilling, we need the support of our peers. Why? Here are a few reasons:
- Sometimes we need a shoulder to cry on. No matter how great things are with your family and job, no one’s life is perfect. When things go wrong, it’s good for us to have someone to talk to about it. Our female friends can give us advice, or they can just lend a sympathetic ear.
- Our family members and significant others do not always share our interests. Having friends that we have interests in common with can give us the opportunity to discuss them without their eyes glazing over.
- You can be yourself with your friends. As wives, mothers, careerwomen, or any combination of those three, women tend to get caught up in the needs of others and forget about the things that make them unique. Friends give us the incentive to revisit the things we’ve been missing.
Connecting With Old Friends and Making New Ones
Old friends that you’ve lost touch with are great for helping you rediscover forgotten interests. You can also reminisce about good times you had in the “old days” with them. So pick up the phone and give them a call, or email them. If you don’t have their current contact information, their families or mutual friends might be able to help.
Making new friends is also good for you. Getting out and meeting new people can really boost your morale. Some good places to make friends include playgroups for the kids, church functions, and PTA meetings.
Even those of us who can’t seem to find the time to leave the house can connect with others, thanks to the Internet. There are lots of online communities where we can go to find women with similar interests. Finding a good group can provide us with peer support that we can access at our convenience.
In today’s impersonal world, it’s more important than ever for women to stick together. Whether it’s in person or via email, connecting with other women can enrich our lives in many ways. So call up an old friend, or make an effort to make some new ones. You’ll be glad you did.
Anita Leverington is the resident editor of Relationships Information at www.Schmoozins.com - an online magazine for women that gives all women a voice. Join us as a contributor, schmoozer or just hang out a while.
6 Quick Pick-Me-Ups for Frazzled Moms
By Janice on January 3rd, 2010
By: Hope Wilbanks
I braced myself as Elijah screamed for the fifth time that day. It was an ear-piercing, I’m-mad-at-you scream; a fit that persisted for over an hour. (Why didn’t someone warn me that the Terrible Two’s for boys is much worse than girls?)
My heart drummed a rhythm all its own in my ears. My breathing quickened and my palms started sweating. I thought I might faint. Oh great, an anxiety attack in the making.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect around 19 million American adults, impacting larger numbers of women than men. As moms, we are nurturers, the life-givers to our children and family. So what happens when we can’t find anything within us left over to give?
It is imperative that we take time for ourselves daily. Once a month, or twice a year simply isn’t enough. In order for us to be better moms, we have to learn to give back to ourselves-refill ourselves. Here are six simple ways to restore and replenish energy:
EAT WELL
According to Dr. Denise Lamothe, author of The Taming of the Chew, protein is essential. Lots of fruits and veggies (organic, if possible) should be included in a mom’s daily diet. Instead of falling into the trap of this diet-minded society, moms should focus on themselves and make their health top priority. Avoid foods like sugar, white flour products, and caffeine. Dr. Lamothe also suggests drinking plenty of clear water, as dehydration and thirst often mask themselves as emotional hunger.
AVOID EMOTIONAL BINGING
Loneliness plays a key role in emotional eating more often than not. “Eating well, getting ample rest, and taking time alone and time to be with friends is vital,” says Dr. Lamothe. “To avoid emotional eating, a mom needs to learn other ways to deal with her emotions — to soothe herself without turning to chocolates and cookies or pasta.”
Identify the source of your feelings. Why do you feel sad? What makes you feel lonely? When are you most likely to overeat or binge on junk food? Asking yourself questions like these will help you recognize and pinpoint your weak spots.
LAUGH
“Women should laugh as often as possible to release the healing hormones endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers,” says Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute. “Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and boosts our immune function.”
So how do we work that self-healing laughter into our day? Rent a funny movie or, if you don’t have time to watch a movie, set aside time in the evening for your favorite thirty-minute sitcom after the kids are in bed. Buy a funny card to send to a friend, read a joke, make a silly face at yourself in the mirror.
PRACTICE S.E.L.F. CARE
(S=Serenity, E=Exercise, L=Love, F=Food)
“Research tells us these four roots are the foundation of self care and health and moms and women must set a goal to do each of these if for only a few minutes each day,” says Dr. Hall.
Serenity: Center yourself a few minutes during the day. Stop what you’re doing, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you are “quieting” yourself, speak positive affirmations to yourself (I am loved; I am at peace with myself and the world; I accept myself).
Exercise: Park closer to the end of the parking lot at the grocery story and walk those few extra steps to boost your heart rate. Join a thirty-minute workout group or purchase home exercise videos. Invite friends to join you in a three-day per week exercise routine.
Love: “Research tells us that isolation kills and community heals,” says Dr. Hall. Surround yourself with loving friends and family. Thwart stress by avoiding people who thrive on drama. Other ways to practice self-love: buy yourself a bouquet of flowers, treat yourself to a cappuccino, let Daddy baby-sit while you enjoy a Pamper Me day at the spa with your girlfriends.
Food: Dr. Hall says, “Research tells us that B6 produces serotonin and helps depression. Omega 3’s help depression and reduce the risk of heart disease.” Consult your doctor to find out what foods and/or vitamins you should take to enhance your new, healthy lifestyle.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
According to Dr. Hall, listening to music increases serotonin and if you sing along you get an immune boost of 240%. Tune in to your favorite radio station and belt out those favorite tunes while you do housework. Purchase an inexpensive CD player and a few favorite CDs to listen to while you exercise. Treat yourself to tickets to an upcoming concert.
GET CREATIVE
Bring out the artist inside you. Finger paint with your children (which they, of course, will love!), visit a nature park or zoo and bring your camera to take pictures, color in a coloring book, put a puzzle together, create a mini rock garden in your front yard, join a scrapbook class, learn to knit, take a cake-decorating class.
Hope Wilbanks is an inspirational author who writes to encourage others. You can find more of her work online at Nurtured Soul.
Saving Family Keepsakes for Scrapbooking
By Janice on January 3rd, 2010
Written by Rachel Paxton I’m new to scrapbooking, and I still can’t believe all the possibilities there are for scrapbook layouts.
When I first began I pulled out and organized a lot of my daughter’s childhood photos. Also collecting dust on my closet shelf was a box of other family keepsakes I’d kept throughout the years.
For example, when we went to Disney World, in addition to all the pictures we had taken, I kept the plane tickets, the cards you get to open your hotel door, meal vouchers, luggage tags, post cards, and theme park passes. These will make a fun addition to our Disney World-themed scrapbook pages.
For school, there are a number of things you can keep. Certificates, award ribbons, and report cards are just a couple of ideas. You can also break this category down into smaller ones, like school sports, plays, band, etc. I’ve kept all of the programs from my daughter’s school plays, which will make a great addition to the pictures I have of her “in character.”
Other keepsakes might include handmade cards or little notes your child might have left you from time to time. These memories are priceless, and could never be re-created even if you tried. Keeping these treasures in a family scrapbook will ensure the memories are preserved.
For holiday memories, you might have childhood Christmas wish lists, family letters, holiday cards, party invitations, or favorite family holiday recipes. I even keep thank-you cards I have received.
Looking through my box I also found some other types of family memories that would also make great themed scrapbook pages. Wedding announcements, funeral programs, and graduation announcements are a great complement to your family photographs.
Hopefully these ideas will get you thinking of things you might have tucked away somewhere that would be a great addition to your scrapbooking projects. If not, it’s never too late to start.
Article by:
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, visit www.crafty-moms.com.
Organizing for Dollars
By Janice on January 3rd, 2010
Written by Tammy Paquin With the success of EBay and the increasing cost of running a household, everyone should see dollar signs when they look at things in their home! Unorganized homes cost money! When was the last time you REALLY got your home cleaned out and organized?
How does that unorganized home cost you money? When you can’t find something, you tend to buy a new one. If you can’t find tax paperwork when the IRS calls you for an audit THAT will cost you money! When you lose bills in piles of paperwork and get hit with that late charge THAT just cost you money! Running around trying to find things you KNOW you have but can’t find costs you time and energy and that usually costs money. Knowing where your home owner’s insurance policy is when that hurricane is bearing down on you is a critical thing!
Being organized allows you to know what you do NOT need and if that’s the case get rid of it. If you have things you want to get rid of consider donating them to charitable organizations (remember to get a receipt for the donations if you can itemize). Recently, I donated old glasses to an organization that collects them for the needy. I donated stuffed animals to the state police (no receipt here but it was a good cause!) for children in accidents or children pulled out of abusive homes. I sent several nice suits to a local organization that helps dress women for interviews (frequently these women are on state aid and coming out of education programs and can’t afford nice interview clothes). When you REALLY start to look around you, there are plenty of great programs and people who are desperate for those things that you do NOT need!
Now, you might prefer to get cash for those extras you have. EBay is huge these days! Although I’ve never done this and can’t offer any advice or help, a quick inquiry in a search engine will pull up lots of free help.
Another get-cash option is holding a tag-sale. You can do this with several other families in a well seen location or maybe haul what you have to a flea market. I, personally, take my stuff to our local flea market because there is serious traffic there and I can do very well.
How do you get organized? Trust me, don’t do it all in one day. Stay focused on ONE thing at a time. Don’t start the garage at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Pick jobs that fit the time frame. If you have an hour, maybe clean out a few drawers, a kitchen counter that collects paperwork, or a few cookbooks you KNOW you haven’t used in five years! Keep boxes for the stuff you find. Mark one for the garbage, one for donations and one for “not sure” stuff. Feed boxes well! Make sure to file paperwork accordingly and keep important paperwork together and in properly marked envelopes or file organizer. Put the “not sure” box aside for 6 months. If you haven’t used it or needed it in that time frame, consider moving it to the garbage box or donation box.
Do you have kids who don’t want to part with any unused toys? Consider getting them into the clean out by showing them how their unused toys could make a child in a homeless shelter or an abused women’s shelter, very happy. I know our church sends small toys to Haiti through Haiti Project (read, all those Happy Meal toys!). Less in the landfills and a smile on a child’s face, somewhere! Show them how their donated toys can raise money for the Salvation Army or other relief organizations that were there when Katrina hit. You might end up cleaning out a lot of stuff by showing them that it really is better to give than receive.
Bottom line, look around your home and decide what you need, what you want and then what you should get rid of. Make the most of what you get rid of either by donating it or selling it. Then look around and give yourself a pat on your back for cleaning out and organizing your life and your home and count the cash (from your sale or tax refund) and those good feelings you get by giving to some great causes.
Article by:
Tammy Paquin is a busy mom of 3 boys, a dental hygienist and the owner and publisher of Frugal-Families, an online resource for frugality, budgeting, finances and everything related to stretching your hard-earned dollars. Here are more money-making organizational tips.
Self-Contemplation and Success
By Janice on January 3rd, 2010
Posted By Ruth Hegarty
As promised in my note above, my “article” today consists of a series of questions that will help you contemplate who you are, who you want to become and continue to be moving forward. Take some time this week (and continue to do this process on an ongoing basis) to just sit and allow these questions to bubble around in your mind. Write down whatever comes up for you. This kind of contemplation leads to deeper self-understanding and success, in both life and work, and directly relates to how you see yourself on the inside which leads to how you live on the outside.
1. What are my habits/practices that don’t work for me?
2. What are my habits/practices that do work for me?
3. What do I spend time doing that leaves me frustrated?
4. What am I happy/excited about in my life right now?
5. Is there anyone in my life that doesn’t feel good to be around?
6. Is there anything at home or in my workspace that doesn’t jive with me anymore?
7. What am I proud of about my life?
8. What am I grateful for in my life?
9. What negative judgments do I have about myself? About others?
10. Who do I love and who loves me and what does that love look/feel like?
11. How do I make the world a better place?
12. Do I spend any mental time on thoughts that make me feel cruddy?
13. What are my priorities and values at this time in my life and how to they manifest every day?
14. Is there anything else I can see in my life that doesn’t feel good?
15. What changes can I make moving forward that will dramatically improve my life?
Take all the time you need to answer these questions. Even just reading them through and thinking about them as you go through your day can get you results - although I definitely recommend you write your answers down.
Of course you know to have fun with this!
*****
© 2009 Ruth Hegarty
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Ruth Hegarty helps women entrepreneurs create confident and effortless success. As a certified Law of Attraction Coach, Ruth teaches women to unleash their powerful creator. She hosts the popular “The Art of Joyful Living Radio Show.” Listen every Tuesday by visiting Art of Joyful Living .
To learn more about Ruth’s group or one-on-one coaching programs and to get her free Confidence Building e-book for women, please visit her website at Leap of Confidence.
How to Make Painted Christmas Cookies
By Janice on December 3rd, 2009
By: Sherry Frewerd
Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh baked Christmas cookies? Part of the fun of Christmas for many folks is baking and decorating Christmas cookies. If you like to decorate sugar cookies during the holidays then you may enjoy letting your inner artist come out this year. How about trying your hand at painting your Christmas cookies this year? While at first glance they may seem difficult to accomplish, painting Christmas cookies is easy enough for children to help with.
Christmas cookie paint is actually a simple mix of egg yolk, water, and food coloring. After you’ve rolled out the dough and cut the shape you want, just paint on some playful designs, and bake your cookies as always. A couple of techniques can be used to place the designs on the dough. You can paint freehand or take a smaller cookie cutter and gently imprint or press the design to paint.
Making the paint is easy. Use one egg yolk for every two colors you plan on using. Add ¼ teaspoon water, and beat with a fork until smooth. Divide the yolk mixture into two cups and stir enough food coloring in to make your desired shades. Keep in mind that the paint will dry out fast, so keep it covered when you’re not using it. Stir in a little water to keep the paint a consistency that you can work with.
Easy Painted Christmas Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
Egg Yolk Paint
Cream butter at medium speed and gradually add sugar, beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each egg. Add milk and vanilla, and mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, and soda; add flour mixture to creamed mixture, stirring until blended. Your dough will be soft. Shape dough into 2 balls; wrap each in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours. Work with half of dough at a time; store remainder in refrigerator. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick on floured board or waxed paper; cut with 2 ½ to 3 inch cookie cutters and carefully transfer cut cookies to lightly greased cookie sheets. Paint various designs on cookies using a small art brush and our Egg Yolk Paint. Bake at 375F for 6-8 minutes; cook on wire rack. Makes about 5 dozen.
Easy Egg Yolk Paint
1 egg, beaten
¼ tsp water
Food coloring
Combine egg yolk and water; stir well. Divide mixture evenly into 2 cups; tint as you desire with food coloring. Keep your paint covered until ready to use. If paint thickens, add a few drops of water and stir well. Makes about 1 ½ tablespoons. Prepare this recipe for every 2 colors of paint you want to use.
Painting Christmas cookies is so much fun that you might decide to start a new family tradition. Create these pretty cookies to give away as special gifts or use as tree ornaments. This is a great holiday activity for older kids to make Christmas gifts for Mom and Dad too. If you decide to make painted Christmas cookies as ornaments, just cut a small hole in the top of the cookies before you bake them. Thread colorful cord or ribbon through the hole after the cookies have cooled. Have fun and use your imagination!
Visit ‘Family Christmas Ideas’ and learn how to start your own Christmas family tradition this year familychristmasideas.homestead.com/ Slow down your life a bit and enjoy delicious meals with your family. Find out how at ‘Family Crock Pot Recipes’ familycrockpotrecipes.com
Make the Giving of Gifts a Little Easier
By Janice on December 3rd, 2009
So, you dread the thought of having to buy gifts for Christmas. Friend or family member has a birthday or anniversary coming up, and you still don’t have a gift? Well, we’ve all been there and done that. None of us want to do it again. Yet we always seem to be in the same sorry spot each year. As Mark Twain said: “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” That may be great advice for yard work, but it is terrible advice for gift giving. Waiting too late to buy gifts can cause several problems, including stress, choosing less than stellar gifts and experiencing holiday shopping misery. Let’s look at several ways to avoid those problems.
1: Start thinking of gift giving as a regular part of your day-to-day life. Don’t think of it as a rare, necessary evil. You need to adopt a new mindset: one that tells you that any day could be a great day to find that perfect gift for family or friend. Once you get in that frame of mind, there are several things you should do to make gift giving fun for you and great for the recipient:
2: Make a list of the people you exchange gifts with and a calendar of the dates you expect to give them gifts. When you receive an invitation to a wedding or party, mark that date on your gift calendar. This will help you get organized, which is usually the first step in any worthwhile endeavor.
3: Keep that list in a handy, convenient place in your home or carry it with you. That way you can easily access it when you need it.
4: Have an idea? It’s funny how you’ll get one right after holidays, birthdays or other gift-giving occasions. Of course, by this time you have spent quite a bit of time thinking about your gift(s). When you have an idea, write it down on the handy list mentioned above, so you’ll be one step ahead of the game next year!
5: Listen year-round for that friend or family member to say or do something that tips you off to the perfect gift! When you pick up on it, you’ll have a place to write it down. This will help you buy that just-right gift and prevent gift panic, or worse, the dreaded Christmas rush.
6: Buy the great gift you just wrote down! There is absolutely no reason to wait to buy a gift for any occasion if you have an inspirational (or just good) idea, unless you think it may later go on sale. Otherwise, buy that gift as soon as you can! To make gift buying even easier, buy your gifts online and have them shipped to you. In many cases you can even have them wrapped for you by the merchant.
7: Buy a generous gift WITHIN YOUR BUDGET! Two things you want to avoid, in decreasing order of importance: being seen as a cheapskate (or worse, having no gift); or going overboard on a gift, which usually means spending more than you can afford and probably making the recipient uncomfortable. It’s also easy to spend too much on someone (like your spouse or kids) and then find that you have little or nothing for other important people in your life (like your parents, siblings or friends). So set a budget for your gift buying and stick with it.
8: Once you’ve purchased your gift(s), you need to have a place to put it (or them). So, make room in your house, apartment, condo or whatever, and create a gift closet. Keep it stocked with the great gifts that you wrote down on your handy gift list and then purchased (within your budget).
Presto! You will suddenly rise to the occasion with a great gift, or an armful of great gifts, and you and your recipient(s) will be much happier for it.
“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” ~ Babatunde Olatunji
Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Christmas, celebrations, recipes and gifts , do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com www.Christmas.infozabout.com
Coming Up With The Perfect Home Business Idea
By Janice on December 3rd, 2009
By: Sandy Naidu
With the price of child care and gas prices increasing, more stay at home and working moms alike are wanting to come up with ideas, where they can have their own home based business to make extra money, save gas and stay home with the kids. With more computers in homes, there are all kinds of sources to come up with ways to make extra money or start your own business.
Of course, the Internet offers all kinds of ideas, but some of them take money to get started, and you don’t know if you are going to be scammed out of your money, of if they actually work. Many moms are thinking about ways to come up with ideas and some have ideas, but don’t know how to advertise and market, or how to get started.
The first thing is to first come up with an idea, that is a product or service that everyone needs, but ideally, is limited or non-existent, or a specialized talent. Some moms have come up with business ideas by talking to their friends and casual ideas come up, how many times have you heard, “I wish they would make this…” or “Wouldn’t you think they could come up with a way….”. These could be your best business ideas. If it is a product or service that you would be interested in, if it existed, then it may just be the best idea for your perfect home business idea.
Another way to come up with ideas, is to look at talents or skills you may already have, are you a quick typist, a great cook, seamstress, expert on some topic, article writer or always wanted to write a book, do you have a network of friends that can help expand a business from their homes and pool your knowledge and resources? By trying to hone in on perfect home businesses, it needs to be something that you will enjoy doing, and allow you freedom to still run to doctor appointments, PTA meetings and field trips.
There are many stay at home moms that have mastered eBay, for example, bidding on things and re-selling for a profit, or garage sale-ing or rummage and flea market shopping trips and re-selling great finds on the Internet. One woman made a multi-million dollar business by organizing large citywide garage sales with second hand and new items at great discounts. By pooling ideas with other mothers, you may be able to come up with a group business and have fun, while making extra money. You need to decide if you want to go it alone, or bring friends in to help.
The next thing is to start researching on the Internet, see if it exists already, and if so, how is it presented. See how other people are marketing their products. It is so easy to set up your own website with products such as Google, that help you set up your own website, and there are website templates that have pre-reserved spaces by setting up you own Google AdSense account, where advertisers that want to target a similar market, can also insert their ads on their own, without you going after them, and you get paid every time somebody clicks on them. Yahoo offers domain names for $1.99; you can start your own business for free or very cheaply, once you have decided what you want to do.
Some people don’t even have products, just information that they offer for free and get income from the sponsored ads, and some sell eBooks, where all the money comes straight to them, and they make advertising money off of the ads on their website from other businesses.
The best thing is to just get started! If you start researching on the Internet, you can come up with great ideas, by networking with friends, they can help support or come up with ideas, and if you have a talent or hobby that others can learn or would have an interest in, it could become your perfect home business idea.
Sandy Naidu is a work at home mother. Sandy’s website Business Ideas features interviews with women business owners. Most of the guests are mothers who have created a successful business working from home. There are also resources on the site to help you start your own business. Visit Internet Business Ideas
25 Money Saving Tips
By Janice on December 3rd, 2009
By: Lara
In these times we are living in finances are tight and many of us are desperately trying to find ways to save money. It is a time when people are being laid off, receiving pay cuts, and trying to raise families on low income. Of course soaring gas prices do not help either!
I hope that these money saving tips help you as they have been helping our family!
Money Saving Tips
Shop Second Hand. I have to admit, I had a hard time with this at first, however, I see the value in it now. Who says we have to have “new” clothes? There are a TON of great second hand stores out there with awesome styles. When I took my teenager to a second hand store we have here in town, she was very excited as she looked through the racks. Why? Well, the prices were SO low that she realized she was going to get a LOT more than she normally does! She understands the concept of getting more for your money! Now, she has a wardrobe of beautiful clothes that are perfect for her style. The best part, we only spent fifty bucks! I also saved a bunch of money on my toddlers clothes! She got dresses and shorts and outfits galore for 30 dollars!! Ho cool is that?? Note: We do not buy undergarments at second hand stores…Only clothing.
Another great tip for second hand stores, is that YOU can sell YOUR clothes there and make some easy money! When the kids out grow their clothes, take the ones that are still nice to the resale store and “recycle” them for cash!
E-Mealz.com. This cool site helps you make a food list for shopping. You choose the store, and THEY provide the plan. It saves you a ton of time to let THEM think! They find the best prices for items and make your plan based on that week’s sales at the store you picked.
The Grocery Game or couponmom.com. These coupon sites go very well with the emealz site. You can get the coupons for the plan that emealz came up with! VERY cool! And, you will save time AND money!
Hot Water Heater. You can save money each month simply by setting your water heater temperature to a lower temperature. Or, you can buy a hot water heater timer at home depot for the same results.
Blockbuster or Netflix. This is a great way to save money and TIME for entertainment. The fees are quite low and the movies are delivered to your home.
Library. You can get FREE movies and music “rentals” at your local library.
Starbucks Lovers. You can save 10 cents if you bring in your own cup! Does not sound like much, but if you get coffee there in a regular basis, it can REALLY add up!
Energy Audit. Call your electric company and request an energy audit. Most of them do it for free. They will tell you where you can make adjustments to save money on your bill each month. Plus, in many cases, they will give you some freebies (light bulbs, etc).
Rate Reductions. Call your cable or phone company and tell them that you would like a rate reduction. Shop around for better deals and let them know you have been. They will want to keep your business and in many cases lower your bill a bit. Or, at the very least offer you some incentive.
Employee Discounts. USE them. Know them. Oh, and USE them!
Sale Papers. Read them and LOOK for sales on items you need to buy. Research for the best deal. Clipping Coupons is another great use for sale papers!
Leftovers. Make meals that can also be used for a great “leftover” meal the next day.
Conserve Electricity. Shut your lights off during the day and open your blinds. Turn off lights when room is not in use. Keep the air on 78 degrees during the day. Open your windows and use ceiling fans as much as possible. Wash with cold water. Just a few changes can really LOWER your bill.
Prescriptions. Go to Walmart. They offer very low prices on MANY prescriptions. Oh, and for those of you who are near a Publix supermarket, they give FREE prescriptions for several popular antibiotics.
Dollar Movies. Why spend big bucks to see a movie? If you wait just a few more weeks, you can see the SAME movie on a big screen for a buck or two!
Dollar Stores. They have many cleaning and household items that you can get instead of paying full price.
Car Pool. When possible get together with other who work with you, and car pool. You can also take turns picking up your kids from school if you do not work outside the home. You will save gas money.
Garage Sales. This is a great way to find some furniture items you need. Some people find great treasures and then sell them on eBay. Not only can you SAVE money, you can MAKE money if you so choose.
Shop After Holidays. A great time to buy gifts is AFTER the holidays! If you wait till after many holidays, like Easter, Christmas, etc…you will find great deals. Obviously, not on perishable items, however, you can find perfume, gift sets, and MUCH more for 50-75% off. Put them in your closet, and give them as gifts next year!
Store Brands. Buy store brands as often as possible. On most cases they have the EXACT same ingredients and/or quality as “name brand.” Name brand is nothing more than commercialization. They are no different. Maybe we are watching too much TV??? LOL!
Shop Online. You can find a TON of deals AND get free shipping JUST for shopping Online.
Amazon and eBay. You can get incredible deals shopping at places like eBay and Amazon. Use and New. I buy most of my books through Amazon used. I save a TON of money that way and even though they are used, they really do not appear used when I get them. Oh,and yet again, this is another venue to make money. Sell YOUR used books on Amazon!
Eat In. Eating out costs a LOT of money. Get out of the habit and get more creative with your cooking! You will not only save money, you will make your family happy! If you work outside the home and you go out to lunch, try bagging it! Think about it this way…You are literally flushing your money down the toilet!!!
Restaurant Savings. If you MUST have your out to eat treat sometimes there is still hope for you! Many places offer kids eat free nights. Take advantage of them when you want to have an out to eat treat. Applebees has it on Sundays, Fazolies and Roadhouse have it on Tuesdays. There are also quite a few restaurants that offer free meals and/or discounts on your birthday. Call around and find out which ones have the best deals.
Drink more Water. It is MUCH healthier for you than soda, tea, or coffee. Plus, it’s FREE! If you do not like your tap water, invest in a filter. Water is the BEST thing you can drink and most people do not drink enough of it anyway! You will be SHOCKED at the amount of money you save each week by simply eliminating the unhealthy sugar filled drinks from your diet! Oh, and your waistline will not complain either!! LOL!
As you can see, there are MANY ways to save money. This is by no means even the tip of the iceberg on the amount of money you can save if you set your mind to it! Happy Money Saving!
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved.
About the Author: Lara Velez is a Christian wife and homeschooling Mother of two. She is a published writer, web designer (designedbylara.com), and Mom of Faith (momsoffaith.com). She enjoys cooking, writing, scrapbooking, and web design.
Meal Planning Made Easy
By Janice on June 3rd, 2009
Written by Rachel Paxton
It’s no fun trying to decide what to make for dinner every night. Planning your meals ahead of time often saves you time as well as money.
There are many different ways to plan your meals. How you plan yours depends on how much time you want to spend now to save yourself time later.
I plan my meals once a week. Because I have limited refrigerator/freezer space and a small family to feed (3), this plan seems to work best for me. I only go to the grocery store once a week. When I’m getting ready to go to the store, I sit down and starting planning my menu for the next week.
This is a good time to go through this week’s grocery ads to see what’s on sale this week. I also take this time to clean out my refrigerator to see what needs thrown away and what can be re-used as leftovers in the next couple of days. Cleaning out your refrigerator weekly is crucial in avoiding wasting food that could still be used to make a perfectly good meal.
So after I’ve cleaned out the refrigerator and scanned the grocery store ads, I start my shopping list. I try to plan around what I already have in the freezer. For example, if I know I have a pound of hamburger in the freezer and I know I have spaghetti noodles on hand, then I just need to put spaghetti sauce on my list in order to have spaghetti for dinner one night.
I’ve also found that often we don’t need as much meat in our meals as you might think. For our family of three, a pound of hamburger can be used for both spaghetti and tacos. If I cook the hamburger all at once, I can just put half of it in the refrigerator for the next meal (a big time savings!). If I already have taco shells on hand all I need is to make sure that the sour cream I have in the refrigerator is still good and put lettuce and tomatoes on my shopping list.
You should always stock up on meat when it’s on sale. If you do you’ll find that some weeks you’ll end up buying almost no meat at all, if any. I also stock up on items like jars of spaghetti sauce when they’re on sale. Then I’ll always have a quick dinner ready on a moment’s notice if I already have hamburger (also bought on sale) and spaghetti noodles on hand.
Some weeks I realize that I already have much of what I’m going to need for the week. Some of the staples I keep on hand: sour cream, cheese, taco shells, spaghetti noodles, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, onions, potatoes, garlic, tuna, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, black olives, canned clams, and rice. These ingredients make a lot of the meals we eat, like: hamburger and rice, beef stroganoff, tacos, spaghetti, clam chowder, and hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes.
I usually plan for only 5 meals a week. I know that sometime during the week we’ll be eating leftovers or fending for ourselves due to time constraints.
This system has worked really well for me and saved us lots of money. I plan once a week, shop once a week, and don’t give a thought to meal planning for the rest of the week. And I don’t hold myself to cooking a certain meal on a certain night. I usually decide that day what I’m going to cook for dinner to be a little flexible.
There are many other ways you can plan your meals. Some people cook once a month and freeze their meals for later use (requires a lot of freezer space). A couple of books on this subject are Frozen Assets by Deborah Taylor Hough and The Freezer Cooking Manual by Tara Wohlenhaus.
Meal planning doesn’t have to be hard. Modify your plan to suit your family’s needs. Just make sure you HAVE a plan. It will inevitably save you time as well as money.
Article by:
Orginally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the owner of http://www.organized-mom.com/, featuring the Easy Organizer, loaded with tools to help you plan, schedule, remember events, keep in touch, get your family on an organized schedule, prioritize, and more.